Tuesday, December 3, 2013

China's Struggle With Hepatitis B Discrimination

When Jack Wei graduated from college in 2006, he, unlike many of his
classmates, decided not to apply for the big companies that he wanted to
work for in Shanghai. His reasoning had little to do with a lack of
courage, talent, or will, but rather something simpler: Wei was afraid
of being rejected because he is a Hepatitis B carrier, and in China,
this is a major obstacle to getting a job.

Wei then settled for work at a small company and stayed there for
three years. In 2009, having found the courage to again apply for a
major company, he received a job offer. But before he could begin, the
company turned him away: He had tested positive for Hepatitis B.
Discouraged and despaired, the then-26-year-old gave up job hunting.